ESPN’s iOS and Android apps get Chromecast support just in time for the World Cup

The world cup games are coming to your Chromecast streaming stick, courtesy of ESPN: The sports cable network unveiled new versions of its iOS and Android apps Tuesday that both support casting to Google’s video adapter. Disney also revealed Tuesday that its WatchABC and Watch Disney apps will gain Chromecast support as well

The apps make it possible to cast video from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes, which will include each and every game of the upcoming 2014 World Cup — with one caveat: Users must be pay TV subscribers that have ESPNs networks as part of their cable bundle, and their pay TV provider must offer authentication of ESPN’s apps.

Most big providers do, including Comcast, AT&T, DISH and Cox, but some don’t. Subscribers of DirecTV for example are left out. 67.5 million U.S. households can authenticate their apps, according to ESPN. Viewers who don’t have cable or can’t authenticate through their provider still can access and cast some on-demand clips on Android phones and tablets.

ESPN, the Disney Channel and ABC are some of the first U.S. TV networks to directly add Chromecast support to their apps. Before the launch of WatchESPN, only HBO Go was available via Chromecast.